TO ALL MEMBER STATES OF THE ILO
23 June 2023
Dear Minister,
I am writing to inform you that under an item specifically placed on its agenda and in accordance
with article 33 of the ILO Constitution, the International Labour Conference adopted at its
111th Session (2023) a resolution foreseeing measures aimed at ensuring the observance by
Belarus of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry established to examine the
application of the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention,
1948 (No. 87) and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98). The
text of the resolution can be found on the Conference website.
I wish to bring to your kind attention, in particular, subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) of operative
paragraph 2 of the resolution, which recommend to the Organization’s constituents as a whole
– governments, employers and workers – that they “(a) review, in the light of the conclusions of
the Commission of Inquiry, the relations that they may have with the Government of Belarus and
take appropriate measures to ensure that the Government of Belarus cannot take advantage of
such relations to perpetuate or extend the violations of workers’ rights in respect of freedom of
association, and to contribute as far as possible to the implementation of its recommendations,
including the creation of a climate promoting freedom of association; (b) ensure that the principle
of non-refoulement is respected in line with international law, given that trade union and human
rights defenders are at risk of persecution in Belarus; (c) report back to the Director-General for
transmission to the Governing Body.”
To enable me to prepare a report for the consideration of the Governing Body at its 349th Session
(November 2023), I would appreciate receiving information on any action taken or envisaged by
your Government no later than 1 October 2023.
May I also request that you bring these recommendations to the attention of the employers’ and
workers’ organizations of your country so that they make the relevant measures and inform me
either directly or through you.
Furthermore, although paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph 3 of the resolution are directly
addressed to international organizations and their competent organs, they also require your
attention since your country may be represented in them. Where appropriate, kindly
communicate the information concerning this resolution to your Government’s representatives to
these institutions.
2.
Thank you in advance for your urgent attention to the contents of this letter.
Yours sincerely,
Gilbert F. Houngbo
Saatja: Marju Mikkov-Vekaria <
[email protected]>
Saadetud: 23.06.2023 12:35
Adressaat: <"SM Info">; <=?iso-8859-1?Q?Liis_T=F5nismaa?=>
Teema: FW: ILC.111 - Resolution adopted by the Conference on the subject of Belarus
Manused: ILC.111 - Resolution adopted by the Conference on the subject of Belarus_MS.pdf
From: ILO-BIT-OIT <
[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, June 23, 2023 10:58 AM
To: ILO-BIT-OIT <
[email protected]>
Subject: ILC.111 - Resolution adopted by the Conference on the subject of Belarus
Governments of Member States of the International Labour Organization are requested to find attached
an important communication on the resolution concerning the measures recommended by the
Governing Body under article 33 of the ILO Constitution on the subject of Belarus.
Please do not reply to this email.
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